Relationships at work aren’t just nice to have they’re critical. In fact, they’re the backbone of employee engagement, productivity, and overall organisational success. Yet, one of the most powerful forces driving these outcomes often flies under the radar: Relational Energy. Relational energy is the invisible but impactful exchange that fuels collaboration and motivation.

Why Relational Energy Matters

In workplaces often buzzing with conversations about collaboration, engagement, and well-being, relational energy is often the overlooked piece that ties it all together. But what is relational energy?

At its core, it’s the invisible but powerful energy exchange that occurs between individuals during interactions, which can leave them feeling inspired and motivated or down and disheartened.

This energy fuels human connection, driving collaboration, creativity, and morale. And the impact is tangible:

• Teams with stronger relational energy networks report 21% higher employee engagement.
• High-energy environments experience a 25% boost in productivity (Harvard Business Review, 2018).

When employees feel connected, appreciated, and supported, their performance soars, propelling not just individual success but also organisational growth.

In today’s hybrid and remote working landscape, the way teams collaborate has fundamentally shifted. With fewer in-person interactions, the opportunities to naturally exchange energy and build connections have diminished. Virtual meetings, asynchronous communication, and flexible schedules can make it harder to foster the strong relationships that drive engagement and productivity.

This is where relational energy becomes even more critical. It acts as the glue that holds teams together, bridging the gaps created by physical distance. Whether it’s a supportive message in a chat, an energizing one-on-one video call, or collaborative brainstorming in a virtual space, relational energy transforms these moments into meaningful, motivating, and productive connections.

By intentionally nurturing relational energy, organisations can ensure their teams stay connected, inspired, and aligned no matter where or how they work.

The Role of Positive Energisers
Positive energisers are the secret champions of workplace success. These individuals inspire and uplift their teams, fostering an environment where people want to give their best.

The numbers speak for themselves. Successful organisations will have three times as many positive energisers within their teams and departments driving:

• 25% greater productivity
• 40% lower burnout
• Improved team collaboration (Gallup, 2021).

However, these key players often go unnoticed because they aren’t always in leadership roles. By identifying and empowering positive energisers, organisations can not only unlock a wellspring of untapped talent, they can create teams that are not only high-performing but also deeply connected to their mission.

The Ripple Effect
But positive energisers don’t just impact their immediate teams, they create a ripple effect across the entire organisation helping to drive company initiatives, values and mission.

It’s no coincidence that organisations with a higher number of positive energisers enjoy 30% better employee retention rates (Gallup, 2020). When people feel connected, supported and valued, they’re more likely to stay.

Spotting the Warning Signs
While positive energisers drive success, it’s equally important to identify signs of negative energy or disengagement. Changes in behaviour, increased isolation, or reduced engagement can all signal underlying issues.

Proactively addressing these “well-being alerts” is essential. Tools like Positive Impact Mapping® allow HR teams to not only discover their positive energisers but also pinpoint risks early, enabling timely interventions before burnout or disengagement takes hold.

A Relational Future
As work environments become more digital and remote, relational energy is more vital than ever. Organisations that prioritize connection, nurture positive energisers, and address well-being alerts will create workplaces where employees thrive. This is more than a trend it’s a shift in how we define organisational success. The most forward-thinking companies recognise that relational energy drives productivity, well-being, and retention.

Relational energy isn’t just a buzzword it’s a powerful force shaping the future of work. Positive energisers are at its heart, creating environments where collaboration, engagement, and well-being flourish. By investing in these individuals and using tools to monitor relational dynamics, organisations can build stronger, more connected teams. In a world where employees seek purpose and connection, prioritising relationships isn’t just good for culture, it’s essential for success.